Smyth into second after Cavan Studbook Series success

Jonathan Smyth jumped his way to second place in the HSI Studbook Series seven-year-old league at the half-way point after Mr Kannan Ball’s (ISH) win at Cavan on Saturday.

Having previously finished fourth in Barnadown, Smyth and the Kannan-sired gelding, owned by Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig, were in top form at the weekend, jumping double clear to pick up 10 league points and give Tomas Doyle something to think about in first place with Monbeg Ruby (ISH).

Smyth was one of just six clear opening rounds in Cavan, and saw off the five remaining combinations in the jump-off after an excellent time of 31.15 seconds for his clear second round.

Mikey Pender, who will represent Ireland in five-star Nations Cup in Rome on Friday, was runner-up on board HHS Cyprus (ISH), jumping double clear in 32.15 seconds.

Jonathan Smyth and Mr Kannan Ball jumping to victory in the seven-year-old Studbook Series at Cavan. photo by laurence dunne jumpinaction.net

Another Hughes Horse Stud horse completed the podium, with Molly Hughes Bravo in third place on board HHS Tokyo (ISH), who was the only other horse to jump clear in round two.

The result sees Monbeg Ruby and Doyle remain on top of the standings, adding an extra point to their 16 earned at Galway and Barnadown to lead by three points on 17, with Smyth and Mr Kannan Ball in second on 14 and Ger Clarke third with Castleforbes Gillian (ISH).

In the six-year-old category, Shane O’Reilly and Francis Derwin Jr both added double clears to their efforts at Barnadown and they sit on top of the table on 14 points.

Only one-twentieth of second separated the first and second, with O’Reilly fastest in a time of 48.15 seconds in the jump-off. Molly Hughes Bravo and HHS Mercedes (ISH), the combination who, as a five-year-old won the final leg last year at Tattersalls, were runners-up in 48.21 seconds in Cavan.

Tholm Keane is joint five-year-old leader on 17 points with Nairobi. photo by laurence dunne jumpinaction.net

Jason Higgins completed the podium on board MBF Maxwill to pick up seven league points, with Derwin Jr in fourth with MMG Candy Lady (ISH).

In the five-year-olds, Young Rider Annie Courtney-Cadam sits in joint first place with LCC Dunard Lady Dominator (ISH) after a third excellent leg of the series, with Tholm Keane also on top on 17 points with Nairobi.

Linda Moloney lies in third place, just two points behind on 15, after Sir Escobar (ISH) added five points to the combination’s tally at Cavan.

For the updated seven-year-old league table, click HERE

For the updated six-year-old league table, click HERE

For the updated five-year-old league table, click HERE

BREEDING: 

Mr Kannan Ball (ISH) – 2016 gelding by KANNAN (KWPN) out of AMBER BEECH (ISH) by BEACH BALL (HOLST). Breeder: DECLAN TAGGART. Owner: NOELETTA SMITH & ROY CRAIG. Rider: Jonathan Smyth (IRL)

HHS Cyprus (ISH) – 2016 gelding by CORNET OBOLENSKY (BWP) out of HHS ACORADO (ISH) by ACORADO (HOLST). Breeder: MARION HUGHES. Owner: BRAVO HUGHES LTD. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL)

HHS Tokyo (ISH) – 2016 gelding by Z SEVEN ASCOT (ISH) out of HHS FORTUNE (ISH) by CATOKI (HOLST). Breeder: MARION HUGHES. Owner: BRAVO HUGHES LTD. Rider: Molly Hughes Bravo (IRL)

The HSI Studbook Series is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services and is brought to you in association with Redmond Property Maintenance.